Kelowna Mounties look for help with suspected arsonists

Police are seeking witnesses and reminding the public to be vigilant after a suspicious car fire was extinguished early Tuesday night.

On Jan. 5, at 6:54 pm, the Kelowna RCMP and the Kelowna Fire Department responded to a report of a vehicle fire in the 400 block of Sutton Crescent.

“Police have determined that the owner of the vehicle was inside his home at the time when he heard a loud crashing noise. He quickly looked outside and saw that his silver Mercedes CLK3 was ablaze. The Kelowna Fire Department was able to extinguish the blaze before it spread,” said Const. Jesse O’Donaghey.

“A witness told police that they watched as two suspects ran up to the car, smashed the driver’s side window and placed something inside which lit the fire quickly. The suspects were last seen running towards Kane Road.”

Both suspects were described to police as:

· five-foot-ten;

· Slim build;

· Dressed all in black;

A preliminary examination of the vehicle leads police to believe that an accelerant may have been used to ignite the blaze, which reportedly spread quickly throughout the vehicle. The investigation into both vehicle fires is ongoing, however police are unable to conclusively link the two at this time.

“The Kelowna RCMP is asking that Kelowna residents be vigilant in reporting suspicious activity, persons and vehicles to police,” said O’Donaghey. “If you witness a crime in progress, ensure you are safe, call police immediately and provided detailed information to the emergency operators.”

Anyone with information is asked to please call the Kelowna RCMP at 250-762-3300. Or remain anonymous by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, leaving a tip online at www.crimestoppers.net or by texting your tip to CRIMES (274637) ktown.